Other sources of support

The following services and resources help people who are experiencing difficult times. Sometimes you might feel that you should be able to cope or that your feelings are so overwhelming you don’t know how anyone could help, but try to be kind to yourself.

Online communities and blogs

Many websites have forums and blogs where you can read about other people’s experiences and share your feelings.

How might they help?

Some people find it feels less scary to share feelings this way. Others find that simply reading about similar experiences helps them feel that they are not alone.

How do I find out more?

Our blogs bring you insights from women who have had a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and how they feel. Get in touch if you’d like to become a guest blogger and write about your own experiences.

Ovarian cancer Facebook pages like ours keep you informed and give you the chance to connect with other people.

Facebook groups are smaller forums. They can be private groups (members join by invitation only), or open to everyone.

In Touch is a private space where you can speak to other women with ovarian cancer wherever you are in the UK. The group is open to all women with ovarian cancer within our community but can't be accessed by members of the public; it is a safe, understanding and welcome place to discuss anything you'd like to. Find out more online or contact our Supportive Services team for further information.

The Ovarian Cancer UK group is a private group for anyone affected by ovarian cancer wishing to raise awareness, talk about symptoms, offer and receive support and share information.

Go Girls Support Group is a Dorset based support group that also offers a private community for any woman who has been diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.

HealthUnlocked is an online forum with hundreds of health communities. There is an ovarian cancer specific chat forum run by Ovacome.

Ellie's Friends is a searchable online directory of cancer support services in your area. It also contains listings of companies offering free or discounted products, services or experiences to adults living with cancer.

Telephone support

What is it?

The best person to speak to about your concerns is your Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), who can provide reassurance and advice based on your specific situation. If you feel it would ease anxiety to follow up more general queries with someone other than your CNS or GP, there are lots of support lines available.

How might it help?

Some people find it easier to talk on the telephone than face-to-face. Although staff at these helplines will not be able to comment on your specific situation, they will be able to help with more general queries.

The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123 (free to call). You can talk to them any time you like, for as long as you like, about anything that might be troubling you. You can also email them with your concerns.

Professional support

If you would like some professional help dealing with your feelings, there are plenty of choices available.

First ask your Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), key worker or GP about the services available within your NHS Trust. Many women have found that taking problems through with their CNS or GP can be very helpful. They can offer insight into your situation and will be able to refer you to more specialist services.

If you want to find a therapist yourself and feel you can afford to use these services privately, the sites listed in this section can help you find a registered professional.

Psychological therapies

What are they?

Psychological therapies are a common form of emotional support that allow you to talk about your thoughts and feelings, and help you to manage them.

How might it help?

Just getting things off your chest can help. You can discuss the problems you are having and explore difficult feelings in a safe and confidential space. Being able to talk through frustrations and difficult feelings with a trained professional can allow you to be more controlled and patient with yourself and those around you.

How do I find out more?

Counselling: A counsellor's job is to listen and allow you to talk. Many NHS Trusts offer referrals to counselling services and many cancer support centres offer free counselling services on-site. For further information contact your CNS, GP or local support centre. Alternatively, if you choose private counselling you can find a registered counsellor through the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Call 01455 883 300 or visit their website. You may also find help through Counselling Directory, a confidential service that connects those in distress with a UK counsellor.

Psychological support: A psychologist will be able to discuss the problems you are having and look at how they are affecting you. They can then decide what type of psychological treatment may help you. The British Psychological Society (BPS) can help you find a psychologist in your area and offer the service in different languages if English is not your first language. Visit their website or telephone 0116 254 9568.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): CBT is a very practical way of looking at emotional distress which focuses less on the causes of your distress and more on what to do about it - how to improve your reactions to difficult situations. CBT examines how our ways of thinking can trigger difficult emotions and behaviours. The therapy then works to change behaviour by finding new ways to think about and approach problems. The CBT Register UK allows you to search for therapists in your local area. Most clinical psychologists in the UK are trained in CBT and you can be referred to one through your GP.

Psychotherapy is similar to counselling but the therapist will try and find out where emotions or difficulties might be coming from. They will help you think about what is happening in your life now and what has happened to you in the past that might affect how you are feeling and behaving. Psychotherapy can help you understand why you behave in certain ways and how you might change this behaviour. The UK Council for Psychotherapy has a ‘Find a therapist’ service available on their website.

Mindfulness-based therapies help you focus on the present moment. It is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to avoid repeated bouts of depression. Mindfulness is a form of non-religious meditation which can have benefits for your sense of wellbeing, help with stress and anxiety and can be practised at home. It is taught and practised in the UK by applied psychologists and other registered health professionals. Find out more.

Support for younger women

The Daisy Network offer support to women who have experienced a premature menopause due to treatment or a medical condition.

Shine Cancer Support supports young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s living with any type of cancer diagnosis. Shine creates tailored events and get togethers allowing people to meet with others in a relaxed way.

Youth Cancer Trust provides support and free activity based holidays to people aged 14 - 30 living with or beyond cancer.

The Willow Foundation is a national charity that provides psychological and emotional support for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds through the provision of special day experiences.

The Hysterectomy Association aims to provide clear, concise information about hysterectomy and related issues for women undergoing, or planning to undergo, surgery.

Surrogacy UK was created by experienced surrogate mothers who wanted to form an organisation that reflected their experiences of what makes surrogacy work. Surrogacy UK offers advice and support to anyone interested in surrogacy.

Coram supports children and young people from birth to independence and offers advice and information to families considering adoption.

Support for people concerned about genetic testing and hereditary ovarian cancer